A massive fire broke out at Adolf Hitler's former mountaintop retreat, which is recognised as the Eagle's Nest, in Germany's Bavarian Alps, leading to the arrest of a man on suspicion of arson.
Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at around 9:15 p.m. Friday in the Berchtesgaden district of southeastern Germany.
Shortly after the fire, firefighters and police immediately rushed to the site, where they saw flames while travelling along the narrow mountain road leading to the building.
Authorities detained a 33-year-old German man riding a motorcycle down the road. Prosecutors said the suspect, who has links to the Berchtesgaden area, showed signs of mental illness and was due to be transferred to a psychiatric facility.
Additionally, investigators are now set to examine whether the fire had a political motive, given the site's historical significance.
Heavy rain, the season's first significant snowfall and strong winds hindered firefighting efforts.
Crews withdrew overnight following multiple hours of work due to worsening conditions preventing them from safely entering the building.
However, no injuries were reported.
Known in German as the Kehlsteinhaus, the retreat sits on a cliff 1,834 metres above sea level.
Built during the Nazi era, it has operated as a cafe and restaurant since 1952 and houses an exhibition regarding its history.
Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann stated the site would not be left in ruins, indicating that restoration was expected. However, officials stated decisions regarding its future appearance would involve local authorities, historians and preservation experts.
